I think I started following the Indie film phenomenon back in 2000 or 2001. Back then all of us drew inspiration from films that, in their day, must have been considered Indie films. They were shot on film, which requires a little bit more overhead just to make the movie since cheap digital cameras and software weren't around yet but even with the cost of film, direct and indirect, they were cheap and financed on a shoestring by Hollywood outsiders, and they made money.
In the 2000s when prosumer digital hit, I know of at least 3 indie film makers who produced films for as little as 10 grand and they all found distribution deals. I don't know about profit but they did get their films out there and at least earned a chance at some amount of recognition. That was back when distributors made package deals with their clients and could slip in a few dogs they used to pad their catalog. The guys I know of had their films distributed on
VHS and DVD and some streaming.
DVDs are being replaced with Blu-Ray discs and many "experts" predict the demise of Blu-Ray is right around the corner... That leaves streaming.
I don't really know enough about streaming to make any claims about which way the wind will blow but I have heard a few stories from Indie film makers who tell the same tale of having their movie(s), that were once being offered on Amazon Prime and other steaming outlets, removed. I for one had a 20 minute horror short on Amazon Prime for a year or so until the day they removed it. I think their explanation was that it wasn't popular enough. Although it was not a great horror short, it was ok. Considering that digital storage space is cheap, I can't believe that having my movie around was cutting into their profit margin. I believe that it is possible that Indie films, the micro-budget films that are a guilty please to some, are no longer welcome by the people who are only in the game for money; the steaming service executives.
So, what do you think, is it over for the micro-budget Indie film makers? I say "micro-budget indie film makers" because these days, films being made for hundreds of thousands of dollars are being called Indie. I'm talking about the backyard film makers. What happens to people who want to make a movie that has some commercial value but no stars, no distribution deal, no connection with Hollywood at all. Is it over?
I'm not saying I believe micro-budget Indie film makers should be entitled to distribution. It's a free market. I"m just wondering if the season has passed and people are more interested in 10 minute Youtube "amusement" clips than movies with a narrative.
In the 2000s when prosumer digital hit, I know of at least 3 indie film makers who produced films for as little as 10 grand and they all found distribution deals. I don't know about profit but they did get their films out there and at least earned a chance at some amount of recognition. That was back when distributors made package deals with their clients and could slip in a few dogs they used to pad their catalog. The guys I know of had their films distributed on
VHS and DVD and some streaming.
DVDs are being replaced with Blu-Ray discs and many "experts" predict the demise of Blu-Ray is right around the corner... That leaves streaming.
I don't really know enough about streaming to make any claims about which way the wind will blow but I have heard a few stories from Indie film makers who tell the same tale of having their movie(s), that were once being offered on Amazon Prime and other steaming outlets, removed. I for one had a 20 minute horror short on Amazon Prime for a year or so until the day they removed it. I think their explanation was that it wasn't popular enough. Although it was not a great horror short, it was ok. Considering that digital storage space is cheap, I can't believe that having my movie around was cutting into their profit margin. I believe that it is possible that Indie films, the micro-budget films that are a guilty please to some, are no longer welcome by the people who are only in the game for money; the steaming service executives.
So, what do you think, is it over for the micro-budget Indie film makers? I say "micro-budget indie film makers" because these days, films being made for hundreds of thousands of dollars are being called Indie. I'm talking about the backyard film makers. What happens to people who want to make a movie that has some commercial value but no stars, no distribution deal, no connection with Hollywood at all. Is it over?
I'm not saying I believe micro-budget Indie film makers should be entitled to distribution. It's a free market. I"m just wondering if the season has passed and people are more interested in 10 minute Youtube "amusement" clips than movies with a narrative.